Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-08
MIR. MANNING A SPHINX.
He is Still Sereneiy Non-Committal
on His Movements.

From the Neto YORK Star.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-There Is still a
doubt here of the much talked OF retire.
ment of Secretary Manning, notwith-
standing all that has been said concern
ing his early assumption of the duties of
President of a new bank TO be organized
in New York city. Mr. Manning, when
interrogated about the matter, has par
rled the question In 4 manner that IN
vested 1t with a great deal of uncertainty.
The public expected direct answer to
Its direct question, and. having failed TO
get II, has assumed the truth of the report
that MIR. Manniug's retirement from the
Cabinet is a matter of certainty.
The Secretary could easily have settled
all speculation on the point. Had ne
SAID yes or no TO the question, that would
have been sufficient, but so tar his re-
plies have settled nothing but that the
bank is not yet organized, and that of
course the presidency OF the institution
has not been rendered MIN.
The Critic this evening contains the
following as the result of an interview
with Mr.. Manning on the subject: 81
have been represented by newspaper
men," said the Secretary. las being in
firm, mentally and physically, and this
has been very unkind in those who should
be my friends, as l am one OF the profess
sion. When | was first taken sick, 10 be
sure, rendered my resignation to the
President, and at that time wanted
it accepted. subsequently, acting
under the advice OF nv Dhysl-
clan, and at the solicitation Of my family,
l was induced to reconsider my determi-
nation, and have now established myself
here III q comfortable and happy nome.
The salary OF the position. either as Cab
met minister or bank president. maEes no
difference to me il comparison with my
health and comfort. Washington suits
me IN every respect. But | do md fault
that writer's for the newspapers should
be continually striving to make me out a
very feeble, sick man When the contrary
is true. For a man 10 ind
daily prognstications as to ais condition
Is sometimes enough to make him
doubt il he Is really as well as be seems.
| have been performing my Official duties
regularly, and attending to certain social
requirements 10 the best OF my ability. so
that there is no foundation for sucn
rumors. My mental faculties are in no
wise impaired, and do not ind the labor
imposed upon me at the Treasury at all
irksome, and physically, win tue excep.
ton of slight limp, l am all that man
could wish. AS long as feel as | do,
shall remain in Washington, and New
York or any other place Will not tempt
me away"
The concluding sentence OF the above
would seem 10 encourage an impression
that the Secretary Is not thinking of leay-
ing the Cabinet. A representative Of the
Star called on MIR. Manning at his resi-
dence this morning and asked him as to
the genulneness OF the interview attrlb-
uted 10 him by the Critic. The Secretary
no a n ha
Ii 5 attention had been previously called
To the article. He had not, ne said. been
interviewed by any representative Of that
paper to his knowledge. As TO the thous-
aud and one rumors that were flying about
the country concerning himself. ne was
not, ne said. responsible Tor them. He
ought to be permitted 10 attend 10 his own
private affairs, he thought, without mo-
hesitation.
MIR. Manning spoke pleasantly and de-
clared that about all matter ahecting the
public interest of which he had any
knowledge ne WAS always willing TO COM
municate with the pubnc through the
newspapers. He had received no Ofer OF
a bank presidency rs yet from any quar-
ter aud hence has accepted none. That
was his only reply 10 the question. Mr..
Marning's color was high, his eyes were
bright aud bis spirits good.
ltnoul exception, every mem Der OF
Congress Apr ached in regard TO the sub.
ject denounces without sense toe rumOr
that the silver men or anybody else in
tended to have Secretary Manning i'm
peached for alleged violation OF law in re.
lation TO the redemption OF Treasury
notes and the issue OF others in their
stead. Secretary Manning was very much
amused with their story, ana said that be
had not only obeyed all the laws to the
best OF his ability, hut had responded TO
the repeated demands OF Congress Tor in
formation concerning the management OF
his department with the utmost frank.
ness aud poiteness. He also said il
would be quite welcome 10 MIN to have
Congress exercise the fullest scrutiny a.
to all his Official acts. he ielt quite
competent TO answer for them either 70
Congress or TO The President.
Advice TO Motuera